Spring Birding on Delaware Bay - Horseshoe Crab Spawning Season

The Delaware Bay serves as a crucial stopover for a variety of shorebird species during their migratory journey, particularly in the springtime which coincides with the horseshoe crab spawning season.

This period is marked by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs along the bay's beaches, where they lay their eggs in the sand. The abundance of horseshoe crab eggs provides a vital food source for the shorebirds, aiding in their migration.

Among the most notable visitors are the red knots, ruddy turnstones, semipalmated sandpipers, sanderlings, and dunlins. These birds, some traveling from as far as South America, time their arrival to match the peak of the crab spawning season, which typically occurs from late April through June, with the highest activity in May.

The red knot, in particular, is a species of great interest due to its dramatic long-distance migration and reliance on the crab eggs to fuel its journey to the Arctic breeding grounds.

The conservation of both the horseshoe crabs and their spawning grounds is essential for the survival of these migratory shorebirds, as the eggs are packed with protein and fatty acids, crucial for the birds to build up their energy reserves.

Observing these shorebirds can be a remarkable experience, but it is important to do so from a distance to avoid disturbing their feeding and resting.

The Delaware Bay region, with its rich ecological resources, plays a significant role in the life cycle of these migratory marvels, making it a site of both scientific interest and natural wonder.

On the Delaware side of the bay at Mispillion Harbor, the Dupont Nature Center offers an excellent vantage point for observers. The center's observation deck and live cam provide up-close views of horseshoe crabs, shorebirds, and other wildlife.

Other notable viewing spots include Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock, and Pickering Beach, where the crabs come ashore to lay their eggs, and shorebirds stop to refuel during their long migrations.

It's important to follow all beach access rules and observe the wildlife from a distance to minimize disturbance.

For those who are less mobile, Port Mahon Road offers an opportunity to view the shorebirds and crabs from a vehicle.

On the New Jersey side of Delaware Bay, Cape May is a prime location for nature enthusiasts to witness the remarkable phenomenon of shorebird migration during the horseshoe crab spawning season.

Along Cape May Point, Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, Cape May State Park, and other beach access points provide opportunities to spot shorebirds.

The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor offers a special event known as the Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days, which takes place in May.

This event features a variety of programs, including guided shorebird viewing experiences, beginner birding walks, pontoon boat cruises, horseshoe crab survey and rescue walks, educational workshops and presentations, and more.

Another notable event is the Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival hosted by The Wetlands Institute, highlighting the spring shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning with guided programs around Seven Mile Island and the Delaware Bayshore.

Things To Do In Delaware

Lighthouse near Lewes DE

This post includes examples of things to do in Delaware USA. 

Delaware Beaches

Delaware has a great selection of beaches for bathing, swimming, shell collecting, fishing, and other recreation.

Popular Delaware beaches include Broadkill Beach, Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Rehobeth, Dewey Beach, and Fenwick.

Many Delaware coastal towns have boardwalks, shopping and beachfront dining. Delaware also has state parks that offer beach access and a variety of activities.

Saltwater Fishing

Delaware Bay is known for its outstanding saltwater fishing. Anglers catch striped bass, weakfish, croakers, black drum, porgies, sheepshead, flounder, black sea bass, tautog, sharks, and other saltwater species.

Annual Events

Popular annual events in Delaware include the state fair in Harrington, NASCAR races, music festivals, food festivals, and many others.

Delaware Birdwatching

Songbirds

The First State is visited by large numbers of songbirds. The marshes, wildflowers, and areas of brush provide ideal nesting and feeding habitat. Other songbirds inhabit the tall pine forests of Delaware. Warblers, nut hatches, sparrows, red wing blackbirds and others nest on the refuge in the summer, while cardinals, jays, woodpeckers and finches reside during the winter months.

Shorebirds

Herons, egrets, ibises, oyster crackers, marsh hens and other shorebirds are frequently spotted along the marshes of Delaware Bay. 

Delaware Bay beaches are famous for their spring bird migrations. Each year, countless numbers of ruddy turnstones, sanderlings, red knots, piping plovers, gulls, and other birds converge along Delaware Bay shorelines to feed on horseshoe crab eggs. Peak action usually occurs in mid to late May.

Birds of Prey

Delaware is visited by a number of birds of prey. Ospreys arrive in the spring to raise young and feed on the abundant fish stocks. As seasons change, some ospreys migrate south while other birds of prey migrate into the fields and forests of Delaware for the winter. American eagles, red tailed hawks and other large hunters are present in fall thru spring. Other hawks such as sparrow hawks may be found year-round.

Waterfowl

Ducks, geese, brant and swans all make stops in the marshes and refuges of Delaware. In the refuges, geese and swans take up residence year-round. Other full-time residents include black ducks which raise their young in the refuge and marshes.

In autumn, migrating ducks and geese visits Delaware wetlands. Arriving are shoveler ducks, pintails, mallards, widgeons, teal, rudy ducks, canvasbacks, redheads, ring necked ducks, bluebills, and others. Mergansers, buffleheads, goldeneyes, and other diving ducks show up in the bay waters as cold weather sets in. Off the coast, rafts of sea ducks forage along the shoals over the winter.

Pelagic Birds

The waters off the Delaware coast are visited by up to 30 species of pelagic birds including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, storm-petrels, phalaropes, skuas, jaegers, gulls, terns and alcids. These birds migrate along the offshore waters, many never see land on the eastern seaboard.

Delaware Facts

Delaware is one of the smaller states on the USA east coast, known as the "first state".

Delaware is the 49th state in the nation in terms of size at 1,982 square miles. Delaware is 96 miles long and from 9 to 35 miles wide.

The state is divided into New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.

Most of the state is situated on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Delaware's state fish is the weakfish.

Dover Motor Speedway is known as the "Monster Mile" for its high banking turns and narrow straightaways.

The speedway's "Miles the Monster" statue is the largest fiberglass monster in the world.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry carries vehicles and passengers across the Delaware Bay between Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey.

The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal) is a marvel of engineering. The 14-mile-long, 450-foot-wide, 35-foot-deep ship canal connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay.

Bulls Island Recreation Area Trail

Bulls Island Recreation Area
Credit: Erica Vavrence, D&R Canal Commission

New Jersey recently opened a new 1.3 mile trail along the Delaware River at the Bulls Island Recreation Area, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Located along the Delaware River, the trail overlooks one of the most scenic and historic portions of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. 

The Delaware River was once a critical transportation route. Currently, the river provides 100 million gallons of drinking water daily for 1 million residents in Central New Jersey.

More than 400 native trees and shrub species, as well as 250 native wildflowers, have been planted along the trail to help reforest the area with native flora.

The plantings were done with assistance from a variety of partners including the Delaware Township Environmental Commission, Kingwood Township Environmental Commission, Lower Wild and Scenic Delaware River Committee, AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, and the New Jersey Forest Service.

From the trail in the northern section of the island, park patrons will be able to see white-capped water as it rushes over the Delaware River wing dam, diverting river water into the nearby feeder canal, and view the original towpath of the 188-year-old canal.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal, listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, is valued for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities and the reliable supply of drinking water it provides to more than 1 million people per day. The canal region also is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, birds and plants.

The canal is the heart of the 7,131-acre Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, which is widely regarded as the second most popular among the more than 50 parks, forests and recreation areas within the State Park Service.

The 79-acre Bulls Island Recreation Area is approximately three miles north of Stockton, within Delaware Township.

In 2019, the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission convened a working group of colleagues within the DEP’s Division of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites to devise a plan that would allow the northern section of the island, previously a campground, to revert to its natural state while also giving visitors access to the canal’s priceless history and enhancing recreational opportunities.

The new trail, shaped like a lollipop, was achieved with minimal tree cutting and encompasses an existing paved road.

To further enhance the new trail, the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission directed mitigation funds from other state tree-removal projects toward planting new trees including sugar maples, red maples, tulip poplar, white oak, flowering dogwood, Common hackberry and witch hazel.

These new trees help provide a lush understory, supporting wildlife that migrate through or reside in the area.

In March, the DEP in partnership with the Trails Task Force of the New Jersey Geospatial Forum announced the release of a first phase of  a statewide inventory of public trails in New Jersey.

The inventory uses information provided by government agencies and nonprofits to improve, expand and better connect the state’s expansive network of trails, thereby improving trails access for all New Jersey residents.

Additionally, the inventory’s data will help planners and advocates identify areas of focus in the state, prioritizing projects and acquisitions that will link to larger trails and advance goals of the New Jersey Trails Plan.

For more about New Jersey state parks, forests and historic sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org.

source: NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Barnegat Lighthouse Restoration

Barnegat Lighthouse | credit: USCG

Barnegat Lighthouse will be closed to visitors for approximately seven months for a $1.3 million restoration of the historic lighthouse, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The lighthouse closure began Monday, March 14. Construction work through October will involve a complete exterior restoration of the lighthouse, masonry recoating and repairs to the brick facade, interior lantern steel platform repairs, roof repairs, and the installation of new windows. 

The lighthouse will remain dark for the duration of the project being done by Spartan Construction General Contracting, Inc. of South Amboy.

Scaffolding will also be erected for the entire height of the lighthouse. The restoration project is funded by the Corporate Business Tax.

As part of the restoration effort, the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse will donate a new beacon light for the lighthouse as well as new security fencing. 

After being decommissioned in 1927, the Barnegat Lighthouse sat dark until January 1, 2009 when the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse donated the current light.

Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, the Barnegat Lighthouse is one of the signature destinations along the Jersey shore and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park will remain open during the renovation, including the park office, interpretive center, fisherman’s walkway, and trails. During the restoration, Americans with Disabilities Act access will not be available along the fisherman’s walkway.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, birding, picnicking, and other outdoor recreation.

Lighthouse enthusiasts can visit several historic navigational aids in New Jersey including Twin Lights Historic Site in Highlands, Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, and Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Point.

More information about New Jersey’s parks, forests, and historic sites can be found at www.njparksandforests.org.

source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Eco-Tourism in the Mid Atlantic

This article provides insights into eco-tourism opportunities in the Mid Atlantic region.

Wikipedia defines Eco-Tourism as "responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale."

Eco-Tourism is a very popular activity and a great way to spend recreational time while learning about nature.

Eco-tourism providers offer a variety of services which may include boat cruises, nature cruises, scenic cruises, sunset cruises, site-seeing, eco-tourism trips, kayaking adventures, and ocean charters. 

Some eco-tour providers offer several types of trips. Having a choice of eco-tourism packages means there is usually something for everyone.

Eco tours provide encounters with of wildlife and waterfowl including deer, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, plovers and other shorebirds, whales, porpoises, otters, seals and more.

Local guides usually know the best areas for viewing nature. Eco tour guides allow enthusiasts to enjoy experiences that cannot be accomplished otherwise.

In some areas, free or low-cost tours are another option. Eco-tours are often available at national wildlife refuges, state parks, and other public areas.

Although eco-tourism is a popular summer activity, it can be enjoyed year-round. In the Mid Atlantic, many of the most exciting eco-tours occur in the off season.

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Beaches

Things To Do - Mid Atlantic

Day Trips and Weekend Getaways - Mid Atlantic

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

A spectacular array of day trips, weekend getaways, and other travel opportunities can be found in the Mid Atlantic Region. This article provides travel ideas and examples of short trip destinations.

When planning a trip, travelers may want to consider a number of factors before choosing a destination.

Time affects virtually all travel in the Mid Atlantic Region. With some interests, timing will be a minor issue. For others, timing is critical.

Factors such as traffic, temperature, and availability of goods and services are all affected by time and season.

The following are trip ideas by state and region:

Jersey Shore

The Jersey Shore is one of the most popular getaway destinations in the northern part of the region. The Jersey Shore is known for its seaside towns, amusement parks, and other attractions.

Popular Jersey Shore destinations include Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area), Asbury Park Beach, Ocean Grove, Belmar, Manasaquan, Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park, Atlantic City, Ocean City, and others.

Cape May

On the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is a popular travel destination. The area is popular with birdwatchers, especially Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape May Point State Park.

Delaware Coast

Because of its strategic location, the Delaware Coast is one of the area's most popular destinations. The area is home to numerous beachfront communities. Near Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park attracts beach enthusiasts, birdwatchers, fishermen, and others.

Baltimore

One of America's oldest cities, Baltimore is a favorite city to explore. Access to Baltimore is possible by auto, bus, rail, air, or sea. The Inner Harbor is a must-see starting point. From there, visitors can spend time exploring museums, shopping, boat tours, historic neighborhoods, or take walks along the harbor.

Western Maryland

Western includes scores of destinations for day trips and getaway excursions. Popular attractions in Deep Creek Lake, Historic Cumberland, and others.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, Harpers Ferry is one of the best kept secrets in the Mid Atlantic region. The appeal of this historic town is due mostly to its geographic location. Harpers Ferry is located at the junction of two of America's most famous rivers; the Potomac and Shenandoah.

Ocean City MD

Ocean City, Maryland (OCMD) is Maryland's most popular coastal beach resort. Each year, Ocean City experiences a dramatic change as its population swells from less than 10,000 winter residents to over 2 million in the summer months.

Chincoteague Island - Assateague Island

Located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Chincoteague Island is a favorite weekend getaway destination for beach lovers, birders, and anglers. Once a small fishing village, the town is a mix of shops, restaurants, motels, and vacation cottages. A few minutes away is Assateague Island, home to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, sandy beaches, and the world-famous wild Chincoteague ponies.

Hampton Roads Virginia

The Hampton Roads - Tidewater region is known for its waterfront activities. Travelers can explore the seven cities of Hampton Roads and other areas.

Coastal North Carolina

North Carolina is home to some of America's most popular beaches from the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast.

Along the coast are important estuaries, including Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound, fed by the Roanoke, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers.

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Beaches and Coastal Travel Destinations

Things To Do in Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Winter Recreation Ideas

Mid-Atlantic Saltwater Fishing

The Mid-Atlantic region offers some of the best saltwater fishing on North America's Atlantic coast.

New York and New Jersey both offer a variety of saltwater fishing opportunities. Inshore fishing is the popular, with anglers catching scup (porgy) black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, fluke (summer flounder), winter flounder, and other species.

Anglers that venture into the open sea catch tuna, billfish, sharks, and other pelagic species. Groundfish are also caught off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, including cod, haddock, pollock, hake, and whiting. Along the edges of the canyons, bottom fishermen catch tilefish and other deepwater species.

Striped Bass

Separating New Jersey from Delaware is the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. From Philadelphia to Cape May New Jersey, this estuary is home to striped bass, weakfish, flounder, tautog, and other species. A few miles south is Indian River Inlet, which provides access for deep sea fishing.

In Maryland, an incredible variety of saltwater fishing occurs in Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Popular fishing ports include Baltimore, Annapolis, Deale, Solomons Island, Cambridge, Tilghman Island, and Crisfield.

Along the Atlantic Coast, anglers fish out of Ocean City, Md. This famous resort town offers inshore fishing for flounder and other species as well as deep sea fishing charters for sharks, tuna, billfish, and other species.

Virginia offers some of the top saltwater fishing opportunities in the Mid Atlantic region. Along with Maryland, Virginia has scores of ports that provide access to the Chesapeake Bay. To the south, the Hampton Roads - Tidewater area is nationally recognized for its winter striped bass fishery, outstanding cobia fishing, and other local fisheries.

In North Carolina's Outer Banks region, inshore fishing occurs in the Pamlico Sound and other local estuaries. The area is also known for its surf fishing with its fall runs of red drum and monster bluefish.

Despite frequent hold ups due to horrific weather, offshore fishing off the North Carolina coast can be incredible.

In summer, offshore fishing often includes fishing for mahi mahi, wahoo, and billfish.

During the winter season, deep sea anglers catch yellowfin tuna and occasionally, giant bluefins. Closer to shore, anglers catch king mackerel, cobia, and bottom fish including snapper and grouper.

Mid Atlantic Beaches and Coastal Travel Destinations

The Mid Atlantic coast has a wide range of beaches, resort towns, and waterfront experiences, with most destinations offering year round activities.

Recreation along the Mid Atlantic coast includes swimming, surfing, walking, running, hiking, sea shell collecting, sports, flying kites, fishing, birdwatching, photography, painting, and other pastimes.

New Jersey

Waterfront experiences can be found all along the New Jersey coast. Public access to beaches is good in the state.

A few of the most popular beachfront destinations include Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area), Asbury Park Beach, Ocean Grove, Belmar, Manasaquan, Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park, Atlantic City, Ocean City, 

On the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is a popular travel destination. The area is popular with birdwatchers, especially Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape May Point State Park.

Delaware

Delaware's Atlantic Coast extends from Lewes down to the Maryland state line. The area includes a mix of beaches and coastal communities.

Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland is primarily a tourist resort, with a population that swells from less than 10,000 winter residents to over 2 million in the summer months.

The Ocean City Inlet did not exist until 1933, when the Chesapeake Potomac Hurricane tore thru the narrow island, separating Ocean City from Assateague Island.

The inlet was eventually stabilized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, enabling the town to become a popular fishing port.

The access to productive fishing grounds brought not only commercial fishing but recreational fishing, mostly boats that fish offshore for tuna, sharks, billfish, and bottom fish.

Assateague Island is a pristine coastal island located south of Ocean City, Maryland. At Assateague National Sea Shore, visitors will find drive on access for oversand vehicles, beautiful sand, and shallow water suitable for swimming, surfing, skin boarding, and wading. Right behind the beach is a sheltered bay where visitors can explore, wade, fish, enjoy watersports, or go birdwatching.

Virginia

The coast of Virginia includes all the state's barrier islands as well as the shoreline from Virginia Beach to the North Carolina border. Assateague Island is known for its lighthouse, wild ponies, waterfowl, deer, sandy beaches, fishing, and hiking trails.

The Virginia portion of Assateague Island is occupied by Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge covers over 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and forest habitat. Explorers can tour the visitors center, then make the short drive to the seashore and hike the many trails.

The refuge and beaches of Assateague Island are very important the economy of Chincoteague Island and Virginia overall. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular national wildlife refuges, according to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Farther south, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, are the seven cities of Hampton Roads Virginia. Beach access is plentiful along Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

North Carolina

From the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast, North Carolina has some of the nations most popular beaches.

Along the coast are some of the Mid Atlantic's most important estuaries, including Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound, fed by the Roanoke, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers.

Nautical Christmas Events - Things To Do

Montauk Lighthouse | credit USCG

The Mid Atlantic Region is known for its nautical events. This post focuses on nautical theme Christmas and winter holiday things to do in the area.


New York

Christmas with Santa 2019 at the Montauk Lighthouse

Santa Claus himself will be at the Montauk Point Lighthouse on Sunday, December 1st, 2019 from - 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM. Families will enjoy caroling, pony rides, and more.


New Jersey

West Cape May (WCM) Community Christmas Parade

Always the first Saturday in December, The West Cape May (WCM) Community Christmas Parade sets the stage for the areas holiday season. Now in its 54th year, the parade steps off at 5:00pm sharp from the WCM Volunteer Firehouse and marches South on Broadway, winds East on Perry, and onto Carpenter Lane in the City of Cape May. The Parade reschedules to December 8th in the event of inclement weather.


Maryland

Baltimore Inner Harbor Boat Parade

An annual parade of lighted boats is scheduled to occur in the Northwest and Inner Harbors at Baltimore, MD on December 7, 2019, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The holiday season boat parade consists of 30 sail and power vessels (19-60 feet in length). Vessels will gather in the Northwest Harbor near Canton at Anchorage Marina, proceed to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and conduct two counter-clockwise loops before returning to the starting area. Participants will be supported by sponsor-provided watercraft. Additional event information is available at www.anchoragemarina.com.

Middle River Boat Parade

An annual holiday season boat parade is scheduled to occur in the Middle River on November 30, 2019, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Approximately 100 sail and power vessels (15 to 60 feet in length) will operate along the Middle River and its tributaries, near Baltimore County, MD. Participants will be supported by sponsor-provided safety vessels.

Ocean City MD Winterfest of Lights

This year's Ocean City MD Winterfest of Lights runs November 21 - December 31, 2019. On display will be more than one million holiday lights and hundreds of animated light displays throughout Northside Park. Relax and sip hot chocolate in the heated Winterfest Village pavilion, take a photo with Santa, and board the Winterfest Express to tour fairy tale themed exhibits. The one-mile journey takes visitors through 58 acres of lights and features a 50-foot Christmas tree.

Christmas in St. Michaels

Christmas in St. Michaels is held annually the second weekend in December in historic St. Michaels, Maryland. Ticketed and free events include the Tour of Homes, Holiday Gala, Breakfast with Santa, and the Christmas Parade along Talbot Street, the largest holiday parade on the Eastern Shore.


Virginia

Holiday Parade at the Beach - Virginia Beach

On Saturday, December 7, at 5:30pm, the Cox Communications Holiday Parade at the Beach will include giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and Santa. The parade travels north on Atlantic Avenue from 15th Street to 25th Street. The reviewing stand is located at 25th Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Related Information

Christmas In New England

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Hampton Roads Christmas Holiday Events 2019

Things To Do In Ocean City MD

Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival 2017

This year's Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival will be held May 20th & 21st, 2017 at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis, Maryland. The net proceeds from this show will go to help local charities.

2017 Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival Festival Lineup:

Saturday

The Mavericks
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Walter Trout
Samantha Fish
Toronzo Cannon
Frank Bang and the Cook County Kings
Sweet Leda

Sunday:

Jonny Lang
Robert Randolph and the
Family Band
Ana Popovic
The William Bell Band
Mississippi Blues Child Mr. Sipp
The Apocalypse Blues Revue
Swamp Candy


Tickets are on sale now at www.bayblues.org.

Shamrock Marathon 2017 - Virginia Beach

Approximately 30,000 runners from all 50 states and several countries will come together along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront March 18-19 for the Annual Shamrock Marathon Weekend.

The three-day event features a Sports and Fitness Expo, races and challenges to accommodate all ages and skill levels, and a huge finish line celebration on the beach.

Registration is still open for the Yuengling Shamrock marathon (26.2 miles), the Anthem Shamrock half marathon (13.1 miles) and the TowneBank Shamrock 8K (4.97 miles).

Visit ShamrockMarathon.com to register.

source: City of Virginia Beach

North Carolina Turkey Hunting Seminars

In March, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, along with the National Wild Turkey Federation, will host free turkey hunting seminars throughout North Carolina.

The seminars, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., are open on a first-come, first-serve basis to all ages and skill levels, although participants 16 years and younger will need parental permission to register. Pre-registration is required and participants must register online.

Among the topics that will be covered during the seminars are biology, hunting methods, calls and decoys, firearms and ammo tips, camouflage clothing, and turkey processing and cooking techniques.

A question-and-answer session, along with a brief overview of hunter recruitment, retention and re-activation (R3) initiatives, will conclude each seminar.

Seminar dates and locations:

March 1
Pitt County Extension Center
403 Government Circle, Suite 2, Greenville, NC 27834

March 2
N.C. State University Engineering Building II (EBII)
Classroom 1025
3114 Engineering Building II
890 Oval Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606

March 7
Pasquotank County Extension Center
1209 McPherson Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909

March 8
Onslow County Extension Center
4024 Richlands Hwy., Jacksonville, NC 28540

March 9
Craven County Extension Center
300 Industrial Drive, New Bern, NC 28562

March 14
Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center
455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759

March 15
Cumberland County Extension Center, Cumberland County
301 East Mountain Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306

March 16
Bass Pro Shops
8181 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027

March 21
Brunswick County Extension Center, BLDG. N
25 Referendum Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422
March 22

Haywood Community College
185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721

March 23
Caldwell County Extension Center
120 Hospital Avenue NE/Suite 1, Lenoir NC 28645

March 28
Catawba County Extension Center
1175 South Brady Avenue, Newton NC 28658

March 29
Forsyth County Extension Center
1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105

March 30
Guilford County Extension Center
3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro, NC 27405

For more information, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Bird Festivals 2017 - Mid Atlantic Region

royal terns

This article includes bird festivals and other birding events that will take place in the Mid Atlantic region during 2017.

Each year, national wildlife refuges host bird festivals throughout the Mid Atlantic region. Most Mid Atlantic national wildlife refuges are located along the Atlantic Flyway, an important migratory bird route. Many festivals coincide with spring or fall migration.

Mid Atlantic bird and birdwatching festivals are also hosted by cities, towns, state parks, and birding organizations.

Winter Wildlife Festival
Virginia Beach VA
​​​​January 20 - 22, 2017
presented by Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries​

Winter Delmarva Birding Weekend
27-28-29, 2017
The 2nd Annual Winter Delmarva Birding Weekend will be held January 27-28-29, 2017.

Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Chesapeake - Suffok, VA
April 20-22, 2017
The Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival is held during the height of the spring neotropical songbird migration. The festival is part of International Migratory Bird Day.

Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend
April 27-28-29-30, 2017
The 22nd Annual Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend will be held April 27-28-29-30, 2017.

International Migratory Bird Day
May 2017
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This year, many events will take place on May 13.

Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival
The Wetlands Institute
Cape May, New Jersey
May 20-21, 2017
The Wetlands Institute in Cape May will host the 5th Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival, May 20-21, 2017.

Cape May Spring Festival
May 19-21, 2017

Wings over Water Festival
Manteo, NC
October 17-22, 2017
This multi-day festival features field trips to five national wildlife refuges: Pea Island, Alligator River, Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Lakes and Mackay Island.

Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival
Cape Charles, VA
October 2017
Based in Cape Charles, Virginia, the Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival coincides with the peak of fall bird migration in a coastal environment.

International Bird Observatory Conference 2017
Cape May, New Jersey
October 26, 2017 to October 30, 2017
www.njaudubon.org

Refuge Waterfowl Week
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague Island, VA
November 19-26, 2017
During Refuge Waterfowl Week, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will offer guided walks, tours, and other special events to mark the fall migration of waterfowl to the refuge.

Related Information

Chesapeake Bay Birds

North Carolina Shape of the Coast 2017

North Carolina coastal stakeholders are encouraged to sign up for the Shape of the Coast series of sessions that will focus on coastal law and policy in North Carolina.

The talks are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. The event is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Law Festival of Legal Learning.

The coastal session is co-sponsored by North Carolina Sea Grant; the N.C. Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center, or NCCRLPPC; and the UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Law.

Lisa Schiavinato, California Sea Grant extension director; Palmer Hilton, UNC School of Law student; and Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant coastal economics specialist, will lead the final session on public beach access and oyster aquaculture.

In the first part, Schiavinato, former North Carolina Sea Grant coastal law specialist, will focus on the conflicts between oceanfront property owners and beachgoers in coastal states, including North Carolina and California.

Harrison and Hilton, a former NCCRLPPC fellow, will offer an overview on the current state of the oyster aquaculture industry in North Carolina, including an update on regulatory efforts that could facilitate oyster farming in state waters.

Other topics include:

 “Insurance Update”​ by Donald T. Hornstein, Aubrey L. Brooks Professor of Law, UNC School of Law;

“What’s Ahead for NC Coastal Policy?” from the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission; and

“Federal and State Coastal Case Law Update” by Meredith Jo Alcoke, Ward and Smith, P.A., and Todd S. Roessler, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.

For more information, visit www.law.unc.edu/cle/festival.

source: North Carolina Sea Grant

2016 Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival

Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival
May 28, 2016 - 10am - 4pm
Milton Memorial Park
Milton, Delaware
www.HistoricMilton.com

The Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival celebrates horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds, long considered by many to be a natural wonder of Delaware Bay.

The annual Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival often draws 1,500-plus visitors who annually enjoy arts and crafts, as well as an art show, boat rides down the Broadkill River, canoe trips on Prime Hook Creek, games, food, music, and more.

This year, the event is sponsored by the Milton Chamber of Commerce and Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge.

A shuttle bus will be available to transport visitors to and from the Refuge. For more information, www.historicmilton.com or call the Milton Chamber of Commerce at 302-684-1101.

Outer Banks NC Outdoors Day

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting a free “Outdoors Day” on March 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla.

At Outdoors Day, visitors can experience the outdoors and gain practical knowledge through hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as fishing, kayaking, shooting a bow and arrow and an air rifle.

Visitors also can check out other activity stations, such as Game Species, Talking Turkey, Backyard Bass, Birding Basics and Sea Turtles.

Staff from Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges will be on hand to describe their seasonal tours, canoe outings, and ranger-led programs on local wildlife during the day.

The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education features exhibits and programs that interpret coastal North Carolina’s wildlife and habitats, natural history and cultural heritage. Things to do include daily showings of an award-winning documentary, and a calendar of events, and educational courses.

Admission to the center is free, as are the educational programs offered. The Center is Located in Currituck Heritage Park on Highway 12, next to Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club.

For more information, visit ncwildlife.org/obx.

source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Delmarva Birding Weekend 2016

Delmarva Birding Weekend
January 29 - January 31, 2016

Oystercatchers

The annual Delmarva Birding Winter Weekend celebrates songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors that are seen on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Winter Weekend activities include boat and hiking trips with a special emphasis on winter birds.

The Delmarva Peninsula possesses an extensive variety of environments, including barrier islands, tidal wetlands, cypress swamps, upland fields and primeval forests.

Field trips take place in the land and water that feed into the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and the Atlantic coastal bays. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the region.

For more information, visit www.delmarvabirding.com

Catskills Recreation Destination Plan

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued findings statements and other documents for the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan (UMP) and Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park. The issuance of the findings statements and permits allow the development plan to move forward.

Highlights of the final UMP include the installation of three new ski lifts and 16 new trails, construction of a new lodge, upgrades to snowmaking operations, expanded lodges, and additional parking.

The project site is located in the town of Shandaken (Ulster County) within the boundaries of the New York State Catskill Park and adjacent to the State-owned Forest Preserve Lands comprising the Shandaken Wild Forest and Big Indian Wilderness Area.

The Modified Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park, which includes the Wildacres Resort and Highmount Spa Resort, is located generally west of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in the towns of Shandaken (Ulster County) and Middletown (Delaware County).

The Wildacres Resort will include a hotel building with 250 units and ancillary hotel uses (dining, spa and hotel related commercial), 163 detached lodging units in multi-unit buildings, and an 18-hole golf course.

The Highmount Spa Resort includes a 120 unit hotel with spa facilities, 96 additional lodging units, a ski lift and two ski-trails.

For more information, visit www.dec.ny.gov.

source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

2015-2016 Canaan Valley Resort State Park Ski Season

In West Virginia, Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area will launch its 2015/2016 ski season Dec. 18, 2015. Canaan Valley is the highest mountain valley east of the Rocky Mountains.

Average annual snowfall in the Canaan Valley region is more than 180 inches. The summit elevation of 4,280 feet above sea level features 91 skiable acres, three lifts, lighted night skiing on weekends and holidays, a terrain park, and ski school.

Canaan's ski area has 47 trails and slopes with areas suitable for beginner, intermediate, for advanced skiers. Live ski conditions at Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area are available via webcam.

For more information, visit www.wvstateparks.com or call 1-800-622-4121.

Christmas Bird Counts

Wildlife refuges throughout the Mid Atlantic take part the annual Christmas bird census, coordinated by the National Audubon Society.

2015 Mid Atlantic Region Christmas bird counts:

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NJ)
December 19, 2015
Spend a day counting birds. Novices welcome. For more information, call 973-425-9510.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (VA)
December 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Help count birds on the refuge. For more information, call 757-986-3705

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service